A criterion of four things determine a city's artistic wellness: Schools, supply stores, galleries, museums. If art schools don't provide the thorough grounding students need to develop personal expressive styles later on, but instead encourage students to imitate current art-world fads, that's a bad sign.

If materials stores cater to amateurs and commercial artists, those store managers won't know which local designers can help fine artists use new materials and processes, forcing artists to look elsewhere for expansive new tools of their trade. Similarly, a plethora of conservative art galleries that ignore modernism's forward march deny those artists recognition, and that works badly.

A museum needs well-trained staff to produce exhibitions, scholarly catalogues, and seminars. Its main function is preservation but also education of the public and collectors. Small museums would do well to network and originate traveling exhibitions, but if one museum's best work is absent too long, students lose access to edifying work.

A fifth need is affordable live-in studios. Recognize those who provide that invaluable assistance.

RACHEL WHEELER

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Time to get rid of career politicians

If we elect a "politician" for president in 2012, nothing will change.

Our debt will increase and our economy will remain stagnant.

A politician, by definition, is someone who tells you what you want to hear in order to be elected. There is no real substance to them. They seek public office for their own personal gain.

We need someone who thinks outside the political box, someone who has been successful in the private sector and who has never held public office.

I am tired of the rhetoric of career politicians. They never pan out.

DEAN GOODMAN, Mineral Bluff, Ga.

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Support Haynes for commissioner

I want to ask everyone in District 3 to vote for Marty Haynes for county commissioner. I've known Marty for over 20 years and can say without hesitation he will be a great addition to the commission for our community.

He lives and has been raised in our community and knows the needs of the concerned citizens of District 3. Marty also has had children in our local, schools, which is a very important part of the community.

I personally have had the opportunity to officiate TSSAA high school football with Marty and have witnessed his strong concern and commitment to serve our community as county commissioner District 3.

I encourage all voters in District 3 and our fellow high school football officials to support Marty.